Two Arrested for Prostitution Activities at New Fairfield Spa

By TAPINTO WEST ESSEX STAFF

February 18, 2019 at 5:44 PM

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By TAPINTO WEST ESSEX STAFF

February 18, 2019 at 5:44 PM

FAIRFIELD, NJ — Two individuals were arrested in Fairfield on Friday for engaging in prostitution-related conduct after Fairfield police learned of illegal activities occurring at the new MVP Spa located at 180 Fairfield Road, according to police.

According to Fairfield Police Chief Anthony Manna, township zoning officials requested that Fairfield officers serve the owner of the spa—identified as Eugene Drew, 32, of Vernon—with a notice directing him to immediately cease massage activities at the new spa. According to zoning officials, the masseuses failed to obtain the required township licenses that would permit them to engage in lawful massage activities.

When Fairfield detectives arrived at the spa, they immediately became suspicious of the location based upon a variety of factors, including a sophisticated surveillance system that showed the parking lot and the stairs leading to the facility, a buzzer entry, a deadbolt lock and the reluctance to initially let the detectives into the location, according to police.

Later that afternoon, police said Drew spoke in person with the township’s zoning officer, who reiterated that massage activities must immediately cease until the spa complied with the township’s licensing ordinance.

In order to see whether the location had complied with this request, undercover detectives contacted the spa almost immediately after Drew left town hall and inquired about making a massage appointment.

According to police, the two undercover detectives made separate appointments that they eventually showed up for and received massages. During one of these appointments, police said that a woman identified as Jessica Chen, 50, of Flushing, NY, attempted to engage in sexual conduct in exchange for money. At this point, backup officers responded and arrested both Drew and Chen.

Further investigation at the business led to the recovery of condoms, an appointment ledger and approximately $600 in cash, according to police. Also seized was a 2017 BMW that allegedly belonged to Chen.

Both Drew and Chen were charged with engaging in prostitution and maintaining a nuisance. Drew was also charged with third-degree promoting prostitution and Chen with a fourth-degree promoting prostitution charge.

According to police, the case is still being reviewed by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office as to whether the accused would be released on their own recognizance or remanded to the county jail.

“The Fairfield Police Department will continue to aggressively pursue quality-of-life crimes that reduce the standard of living for our residents, especially when they completely disregard the township’s ordinances that regulate their lawful activity and state law,” said Manna.

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